Top Tips For Traveling With A Baby Under 1 Year Old
26,505. That's how many miles Sophie flew in her first 12 months! Having a baby changes your life in just about every way possible. We have loved traveling as a couple, and didn’t want to give that up, but knew it was going to look very different once we became parents. So, we confronted our hesitations and embraced the challenge of traveling with a baby head on. We knew we would need to test the waters, so at 3 months old, Sophie boarded her first flight on a trip to New Mexico, and all-in-all, it went great! Then, we tried again at 4 months with another easy flight to The Bahamas. And on and on it went; each trip another learning experience. By 6 months she had flown to Europe and we began to discover what international travel with a baby looks like. Now, she is a pro, and we are getting by!
As to be expected, our travel days were long and exhausting at times, but they were well worth it for the memories we created! A few of the highlights: skiing in New Mexico, glamping in Yellowstone and exploring Italy, Montenegro and Croatia. We may not be experts yet, but the 29 flights, 16 states and collection of stamps in Sophie's passport have taught us a thing or two about traveling with a baby. So, I've compiled a list of my top tips and things to know for traveling with a baby under 12 months. Keep in mind what worked for us won't work for everyone. Whether you're road tripping a few states over or flying across the globe, I hope these tips help make your family travels a bit easier.
Flying
1. When Can Baby Travel Safely? - First things first, when can you take baby on their first trip? If you're flying, each airline has their own policy, so be sure to check with your preferred airline before booking, but they typically require an infant to be at least 2 weeks old. More importantly, I'd check with your pediatrician, who will recommend you wait until baby's immune system is stronger, probably around a month old. Another thing to factor in is what time of year your baby is born. Since Sophie was born in the height of flu season, we decided to road trip to Florida for Christmas (her first trip) and avoid germy airports and planes.
2. Remember Baby's Identification! - Before Sophie's first flight, numerous moms told me to make sure I had a copy of her birth certificate with us as it’s required for her to get on the plane. The reason is to prove the baby is under 2 years old and is in fact a lap baby (aka does not need a paid ticket). I rush ordered extra official copies from the vital records department to be safe, set a reminder on my phone and still forgot to pack it! After a little begging, and a few frantic moments, the gate agent accepted a photo of Sophie’s social security card but warned us we would be personally liable if the FAA looked into the flight and we could be fined $10,000. We didn't make that mistake again! Since we have a passport for her, now we use that instead of keeping her birth certificate on us, but either document will work.
3. Call Your Airline Ahead Of Time To Add Baby To Travel Documents - On a similar note, some airlines require a separate boarding document instead of simply listing a lap baby on your ticket. We often go straight through to TSA and bypass the airline counter when traveling with only carryons, but learned if we tried that now we would be turned away as Sophie wouldn’t be listed on our digital boarding pass. Call your airline before you fly to have your baby added and either print a ticket at home or stop by the ticket counter. The first few flights we always made sure to call ahead and add her, but then started just adding her once we arrived at the airport. We haven't run into any issues either way, but it never hurts to do it in advance.
4. Tackling The Daunting Security Line - Going through security will likely be one of the most challenging parts of your travel day no matter how many times you've done it. Just remember, you will get through, so stay calm and try not to stress! Easier said than done, I know. If you decide to gate check your stroller (which I highly recommend, see below), then you'll have to fold it up at security so it can be screened. This is where the hard part comes into play, mainly if you are traveling alone. Where do you set your baby when trying to fold up the stroller? Many moms swear by wearing their babies on them in a wrap, such as the Solly or Ergo. I personally never tried this, but can see how much sense it makes! Also, keep in mind that since the stroller has to be screened, your baby has to come out regardless if they're asleep or not, so try to postpone nap time.
5. If Traveling Solo, Ask The Check-In Agent For A Gate Pass - As stressful as the security line seemed at times, I can't complain too much as there were only a few trips I flew solo with Sophie, and even for those trips I received help through security. And (possibly) you can, too! When checking-in, ask the agent if your spouse or family member can get a gate pass which will allow them to clear security and get you all the way to your gate with an extra set of hands. It's a lifesaver! They won't always grant it, but it can't hurt to ask.
6. Gate Check Your Stroller - As tempting as it may be to check as much luggage as possible, keep your stroller with you in the airport to help easily transport the baby and all your stuff until you get on the plane - it’s basically doubles as a small luggage rack! As I mentioned, it’s somewhat of a hassle to bring the stroller through security but the pros far outweigh the cons. So far I have not run into an airline that doesn't allow you to gate check a stroller and carseat for free. Make sure to ask the gate agent for a luggage ticket in advance to keep the process as easy as possible, and we’ve also learned to fold up the stroller as soon as we get to the gate to avoid scrambling last minute.
7. Board Early - Take advantage of the family boarding (typically) at the beginning of the boarding process to give yourself as much time to get settled as possible. We like to wipe down the seats and tray tables as soon as we board, and it takes longer than you'd think, especially if your baby is squirmy! However, I know some parents prefer to wait until the last possible minute to board the flight, allowing baby to get as many wiggles out as possible. Again, boarding early is what’s worked for us, but I wouldn’t be surprised if, the more mobile Sophie gets, the longer we wait to board.
8. Travel While Baby Flies For Free - In the U.S., children under 2 years old fly for free if you book an infant in arms ticket, meaning they sit on your lap and don't have a seat themselves. Take advantage of this cost saver while you can! Note that on international flights there will be a fee, which I believe was $200 for both our short flight to the Bahamas and our flight to Italy.
International Travel
1. Take Your Biggest Trip When Baby Is 5-7 Months Old - This is probably my biggest piece of advice - plan on taking your biggest adventure of the year when your baby is around 6 months old! Sophie turned 6 months during our 3 week trip to Europe and was so easy to travel with! We didn't schedule our trip around her being that age (as first time parents, it didn't even cross our minds), but in hindsight she was the perfect age! She was curious but not mobile. We've never kept Sophie on much of a schedule, especially the first 9 months, so having flexibility to explore as we wanted was huge! Greg would wear her on his chest and she was content looking around or napping. She was old enough to sit up without support but not old enough to crawl making flights easy because the periods she was awake she was content just sitting (and making friends with every flight attendant and passenger!). Same goes for meals. She could sit in a highchair but wasn't curious about our food, so was content playing with toys while we enjoyed meals. That was the end of May and by the time we were back on a plane the beginning of July I noticed a big difference in her squirminess. Each child develops at a different pace, so 6 months may not be the prime age for your baby, but you get my point. Go once they are out of the infant stage but before they are (or want to be) mobile.
2. Don't Be Intimidated - I'd also like to add that while on paper international (or quite frankly any!) travel with a baby seems intimidating, it doesn't need to be. Yes, the plane ride is long but when they're still so little there's a decent chance they'll sleep a good portion of the flight (especially on a red-eye), and once you reach your destination, it's not that different than being at home. Sure, meals aren't as relaxing as they once were, flights are even more exhausting and finding spots to change a diaper can be tricky, but we'd face similar challenges at home so why not explore somewhere new?! If you're on the fence, I encourage you to just go! It's the only way you'll know what type of travel works for your family, and the memories you'll make will last a lifetime.
3. Check With Your Pediatrician If Baby Needs Any Additional Immunizations - Make sure to tell your doctor which countries you're heading to in case baby needs any additional immunizations before your trip.
4. Request A Bassinet - Did you know that on most international flights you can request a bassinet for your baby? They fasten to the bulkhead giving your baby a comfortable place to rest and more importantly, your arms a break! Unfortunately, you can't reserve or book them, but you can request one at the gate. They are hard to get, so you're best chance is to show up early!
5. International Customs and Security Family Lines - I was beyond impressed by how accommodating the airports in Europe are to families! Seriously, the U.S. needs to step it up. Whether it be going through security or customs, we were continually directed to lines designated strictly for families. The last thing you want to do after a long-haul flight is have to wait in a long customs line, especially with children! When we arrived in Rome, an agent rushed over to us once she spotted Sophie and escorted us to the front of the line. It was the most wonderful, unexpected surprise and probably saved us an hour! And it continued to happen at numerous airports across Europe. Make sure to ask or keep an eye out for these family only lines. I have read not every airport is this accommodating, but hopefully the ones you fly in and out of will be!
6. Wear Your Baby - Everyone will tell you to wear your baby over pushing them in a stroller, and we found that advice to be spot on, especially in Europe, whose old world charm isn’t always stroller friendly. Greg had Sophie on his chest for the better part of 3 weeks. If you get a good one, it will be comfortable for you and your baby, you’ll feel confident your baby is safe and secure, and it will be much easier to navigate the cobblestone streets, endless steps, tight restaurants and museum galleries. Positano and Venice may be on the extreme end, but even if you’re going somewhere that is more conducive to strollers, I would still recommend bringing a carrier so you have the option. And as additional bonuses, you get some extra exercise and have great bonding time. You won’t regret it!
7. Overpack This, Under Pack That - Sophie unexpectedly switched to being only bottle-fed about two days into our 20 day trip resulting in us only having 1/5 of the formula we needed to get us through the trip. We were able to find similar products, but due to language barriers and different brands being sold in each country, we were never 100% sure if we were buying the right thing. While generally it’s good to pack light, overpack on things like formula and medicine, as it’s not worth the risk of being unable to find the products your baby needs if you run out. However, diapers and wipes are pretty standard across the board, so save room in your suitcase and pick up as you need them.
8. Check The Altitude - This is a random tip and applies to all travel not just international, but after going through somewhat of a scary experience I highly suggest you check the elevation of your destination prior to booking, mainly if your baby is under 3 months. We went skiing in Taos, New Mexico (at 9,300 feet) just after Sophie turned 3 months old and it did not even cross my mind until we were at our hotel that she could suffer from altitude sickness like we could. I frantically started Googling “baby altitude sickness” and learned doctors typically advise that babies under 3 months old not travel above 8,000 feet, unless you take a few days to reach your destination, spending a night or two at an intermediate destination so baby can slowly acclimate. After getting the green light from our doctor, we decided to stay, and she gave us a couple of warning signs to look out for just in case. Sophie did great, but it definitely added some anxiety to the trip. It can’t hurt to play it safe, even if the mountains are calling, so check the altitude and consult your doctor with any concerns.
Travel Gear
1. Less Is More - Whether it comes to your diaper bag or big ticket items, less is typically more. We have done it both ways - packing everything under the sun and (almost) the bare minimum - and have found we usually only reach for a handful of items, no matter how long of a trip we may be on. Needless to say, the less you have the easier it is to maneuver through airports, in and out of cars, hotels, etc. Our diaper bag is filled with the usual suspects: snacks, formula, hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes, change of outfit, diapers, a couple toys, 2+ pacifiers and clip, pacifier wipes, diaper changing mat. I'm sure we'll start adding more items to keep her entertained as she gets older, but so far we haven't needed much. Unless you're road-tripping and plan to be at one location the entire trip, I'd leave as many of the larger items such as play mats, Dock-A-Tots, foldable bouncy chairs, etc at home. You'll discover how creative you can be with finding substitutes that work well enough! See below in regards to strollers, car seats, travel cribs...
2. Even If You Don't Think You'll Use It, Bring A Stroller - I say no matter what, pack a stroller. Even if you're heading overseas and plan to wear your baby the entire time, it can't hurt to at least throw in an umbrella stroller. I expected us to use our stroller much more than we did during our time in Europe, but having it for the few times we pulled it out so she could sleep during a meal or make the airport more manageable was 100% worth it! You can buy an umbrella stroller for as cheap as $20 or spend a bit more on quality and features. I love ours as it has storage underneath and reclines, making it great for on-the-go naps!
3. Request Or Rent A Car Seat and Crib At Your Destination - To downsize on the gear, request or rent a car seat and crib at your destination. It's near impossible to find a hotel that doesn't provide cribs, and many house rentals will as well, just request one when booking your accommodations. Not only will they have a crib waiting for you, but you may luck out and find additional baby items in your room such as bath products or a Diaper Genie. We were pleasantly surprised to find not only those but also a baby swing during a recent stay at an Aman resort! And with car seats, either request one with your car service or rental company. The exception to that rule would be if you're traveling with a small baby and hope to use the car seat on the plane, which most airlines allow if the flight is not full.
If you're in the market for a travel crib, I recommend ours. Extremely easy to assemble and fits into a durable backpack carry bag.
4. Spend Money On Good Strollers and Buy Travel Bags - Both our day-to-day stroller and compact travel stroller are Uppababy and we love them! I highly recommend both. We were a bit skeptical if the higher price tag would be worth it or if it was just hype, but the quality, maneuverability and functionality have been fantastic. And, one thing I would recommend just as strongly is to buy the accompanying travel bags to help prevent as much wear and tear as possible while traveling.
MY Favorite Travel gear
